Former England men's football captain David Beckham joined the queue for the Queen's lying in state at 2am on Friday, and said it was "special to be here". Speaking about paying tribute to the Queen on the football pitch, Mr Beckham told ITV News: "Every time that we stood there when we wore those Three Lion shirts and I had my armband and we sang God Save Our Queen, that was something that meant so much to us.
"Every time that we did it, it was something special. So this day was always going to be difficult, and it's difficult for the nation, it's difficult for everyone around the world, because I think everyone is feeling it, and our thoughts are with the family and obviously with everybody here today. Because it's special to be here, to celebrate, and to hear the different stories that people have to say."
Speaking about joining the queue, he added: "I thought by coming at 2am it was going to be a little bit quieter - I was wrong."
Beckham has said he felt "lucky" to have spent time with the Queen. When asked whether he had any anecdotes about his experiences with the Queen, he told ITV News: "Probably the most special moment for me was when I received my OBE. To receive my OBE, I took my grandparents with me, who were the ones that really brought me up to be a huge royalist and a fan of the royal family, and obviously I had my wife there as well.
"To step up, to get my honour, but then also Her Majesty, to ask questions, to talk, I was so lucky that I was able to have a few moments like that in my life, to be around Her Majesty. Because we can all see with the love that has been shown, how special she is and how special she was and the legacy that she leaves behind. It's a sad day, but it's a day for us to remember the incredible legacy that she's left."
To pay your own tribute to Queen Elizabeth, click here.
